Incentive Payments for Maryland Physicians that Practice in Underserved Areas

The state of Maryland is considering a proposal for the creation of “health enterprise zones.” These “health enterprise zones” would consist of rural and urban regions in Maryland in which the population has notably underserved medical needs; primary care physicians and healthcare providers who practice in these regions would then be eligible for financial incentives for their service. These financial healthcare incentives may take the form of tax breaks, student loan forgiveness for indebted physicians, and other financial rewards. The goal of this endeavor would be to increase access to primary care, decrease geographical healthcare disparities, and reduce the number of hospital emergency room visits for patients with neglected routine ailments. The Maryland Legislature is expected to examine the proposal in 2012. To learn more click here.